oh, and the covers that go over the headlights (under the hood that match up with the grille). they really don't fit, the clip in but there are no clips on the headlight like my 05's. If I want to keep them do I need new ones from an 08+?

-25 feet away from the wall.
-Measure the height of the center of the projector from the ground.
-Walk to the wall, measure the lower step of both cuttoffs 1" to 2" lower than the height of the projector.

I have mine at 1" lower to nearly leveled with the height of the projector. Slightly higher than normal but nobody is flashing me and my cutoff is right underneath the windows and side view mirrors of other cars when I'm right behind them at stop lights.

oh, and the covers that go over the headlights (under the hood that match up with the grille). they really don't fit, the clip in but there are no clips on the headlight like my 05's. If I want to keep them do I need new ones from an 08+?

Are you referring to these? I have them on my '09. They may not click in place as securely as on an '05 but they fit fine. I've had them installed for a while and have never had a problem with them.

I was thinking about doing this but I don't think I have the patience for it and I def need to black mine out.

From what I've read, the OEM halogen headlights are much easier to open (I think they're sealed with butyl rubber, or something similar, which softens with heat). Give it a shot, just don't try it on a day you're stressed out. You can do it, we can help

for the love of cassius christ and all that is holy, this has been a NIGHTMARE of a project, but because you all assured me that patience was the key (and I'll admit you're right), I finally got my housings separated from each other. working on an 06 WK by the way.

I also noticed a particular absence of photos here, so as a design/photog major, I've been attempting to document this entire process the best I can with my greasy hands, so that way you can all see every bit of the process.

now I'll be off to paint everything, by the morning I should have everything reassembled and good to go. glad I read this whole thread though, or I would have given up hours ago.